Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1887-02-18
FRINGE AND GERMANY.

The warlike preparations now being car
ried on in France and Germany with such
activity and at such tremendous expense,
still continue to occupy much of public con-
sideratien throughout the civilized world
The political circles of Europe seem to have
arrived at the conclusion that if Gen. Boul-
anger, the present French Minister, should
retire the prospect of peace would be much
improved This can hardly be doubted. -
This distinguished and conspicuous person.
age has brought the French Republic to a
degree Of efficiency that was not dreamed
OF few years age, and his popularity with
his own people is at once acknowledged.
In corresponding degree he is feared
abroad, and one is forced TO the conclusion
that if the Republic should new retire the
man who has done so much to place 1t upon
warliks footing, in the eyes of Europe 1t
would be regarded as step in the direction
of peace. So of the retirement Of Prince
Bismarck from the German CHARACTERISTIC
would be considered as another step toward
Cancellation, but it is evident that this is not
to take place at an early day.
The willingness and esgerRess with which
the French people seem to sustain Boulan-
ger is very likely to determine oae question
which is of more far-reaching Importance
than that of immediate war Has France
righttte be considered one of the great mill
tary powers Of Europes When the Ger
man princes crowned Kaiser William EN-
peror in the palace of Versailles they be-
lieved that they had reduced ther ancient
enemy to second rank in Europe Some
who were more friendly to the French peo-
pie feared that at last blow had been dealt
them from which recovery would be slow
and dsubtful; but all were mistaken. With
an energy, devotion, self-sacrifce and patri-
otism seldom equaled, the Republic in the
short space of fifteen years has more than
gained its old position among the nations Of
the earth. It's re-invigoration and re habil
itation have been wonderful, and In lis way
furnishes as bright page in its history as
any that has been writ red with the blood
of war. 1t now lacks but one thing OF sub
oe@htioi PACotibCt ~ hiuot uCiAOhodoSS W ho
neighbors its right to this rehabilitation,
and to the leadership that has been instru
mental in bringing it about
For this reason it is probable that the Oft
repeated assertion that the French minister
has gone too far, climbed too high, and built
TIP too majestic military establishment not
TO utilize it at once, unless he is To be
crushed for his extravagance is based upon
an erroneous conception Of the situation
The appearance of France in the front rank
of continental powers has been sudden and
necessarily dramatic, but 1t does not follow
that war is TO result Immediately. Germany
is alarmed, it is natural that it should be,
but unless it chooses to attack the power
which 1t once fondly hoped II had crushed
there is ne reason why 1t should not get
along with the great nation on its one side
as well as il dscs with that on the ether
A denial on It's part Of the right Of France
to take the positions which 1t has assumed
would be apt TO lead to war. A recognition
of that right in advance Of war might cause
some humiliation in Germany, but it will
not be without precedent
The glorious campaigns Of Napoleon l..
still fires the heart of the French people, as
does the fall Of Napoleon Ill In the dust of
sedan, and the loss Of Alsace and Lorraine
remain to curse the folly Of under estimat
ing the readiness of its powerful neighbor.
And now that lis in the splendor and pow
er of more than its once formidable strength,
the question to be determined is whether
France is now to be admitted to its accus-
toned place in European councils without
first exhibiting its proves on the battle
field.